Issa Presses Chu to Testify on Energy Loans

February 7, 2012

Washington, DC – House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa continued to press Department of Energy Secretary Chu to testify on the department’s stimulus and green energy expenditures. Committee documents reveal a disturbing series of questionable Energy Department loan decisions, resulting in millions of taxpayer dollars spent on companies with unstable footing, often in poor financial condition.

“I am amazed that your staff thinks that you are not qualified to discuss DOE’s Recovery Act-related work,” said Chairman Issa. “While some have questioned your ability to manage DOE’s broad responsibilities, I believe that as Secretary of DOE you are best suited to discuss ‘an extremely broad topic’ that involves many facets of DOE activity.”

The letter states that if Secretary Chu continues to be unavailable to testify before the House Oversight Committee, the committee may be forced to move forward with the compulsory process.